How do online heritage collections contribute to journalistic work?

Digitization has significantly expanded the online availability of collections from libraries, archives, and museums. This provides journalists with access to a diverse range of sources, including books, videos, music, maps, photographs, and documents. Notable examples in the Netherlands include the Delpher newspaper archive and the audiovisual resources of Beeld en Geluid. These extensive datasets play a crucial role in enabling journalists to conduct reliable fact-checking and enhance their ability to analyze and contextualize complex news events. 

Despite their vast scale, digital heritage collections remain underutilized. The absence of advanced data analysis tools limits searchability, making it difficult for journalists to uncover and interpret valuable insights. This, in turn, hampers the public's ability to make well-informed decisions on both historical and contemporary societal issues. 

This PhD research investigates the role of online heritage collections in journalistic work. The study begins with an in-depth analysis of the needs of both journalists and heritage institutions in accessing and utilizing these collections. In collaboration with stakeholders and AI experts, innovative AI-driven methods will be developed and implemented. The overarching goal is to enhance journalists' ability to leverage heritage collections effectively, enabling them to interpret complex news events more accurately and provide deeper historical and contextual insights.

This research is part of the Digital Humanities Artificial Intelligence Culture Heritage project, which focuses on developing advanced AI tools to improve the searchability and accessibility of collections from Dutch heritage institutions. By working closely with key stakeholders, the project explores and implements AI-driven solutions that connect diverse collections, making them more accessible and valuable for journalistic and academic research. 

01 January 2025 - 01 February 2029